I Advocate For Whistleblowers Who Uncover Government Fraud
There is a saying that “no good deed goes unpunished.” The honest employee who exposes fraud or illegal acts is often subjected to retaliation, including being fired and blacklisted. So the federal government and the state of Texas created generous financial incentives for whistleblowers.
I am attorney James “Rusty” Tucker. Fraud against the government is so prevalent that I have been able to carve out a full-time career representing whistleblowers in qui tam lawsuits. I have recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of clients as their bounty for alerting government investigators to fraud and corruption.
Thinking of becoming a whistleblower? Use my more than 35 years of experience to protect yourself and position yourself for a monetary reward. Get a free, confidential consultation by calling us at 214-617-2181.
What Is A Whistleblower?
A whistleblower is any person – usually an employee or ex-employee – who calls attention to unlawful activity. It could be anything from upcoding of medical claims to illegal kickbacks or billing for services never provided. In the cases I handle, the illegal activity is defrauding the U.S. government or state of Texas, chiefly in the health care industry. I have secured recoveries in a wide range of whistleblower categories, from fraudulent billing for medical equipment, dental treatment or hospice care to insider trading schemes and pharmaceutical kickbacks.
Are Whistleblowers Protected?
Yes and no. State and federal whistleblower laws make it illegal to retaliate against an employee who reports fraud or suspicious activity. But there are limitations to those protections and strict protocols for reporting wrongdoing. I guide clients through the process to protect their anonymity and their rights.
Many of my clients initially reported their suspicions within the chain of command and were either told by their superiors to keep quiet or suffered swift backlash. I have successfully sued employers who engaged in wrongful termination and other illegal whistleblower retaliation.
What Is A Qui Tam Lawsuit?
The federal False Claims Act (FCA) provides a monetary incentive for whistleblowing on fraud in government contracting. The whistleblower files a qui tam (on behalf of the government) action outlining the suspected wrongdoing. If the federal government ultimately recovers any of the ill-gotten gains, the whistleblower can collect a significant percentage as their reward for the personal risks and sacrifices. The Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act (TMFPA) likewise allows relators (whistleblowers) to share in the state’s civil fraud recovery.
My clients have helped expose multimillion-dollar fraud schemes at both the federal and state levels, with many six-figure, seven-figure and even eight-figure awards to those whistleblowers as a result. The amount of an FCA/TMFPA award and attorney fees depends on the whistleblower’s contributions to the prosecution. It is not necessary that you know all the details or all the players as long you are the first person to come forward with material information that bears fruit for government investigators.
Call An Experienced Dallas Whistleblower Attorney
If you believe your company is stealing from the government through shady practices or outright fraud, I can explain the law and walk you through every stage of the legal process.
Call my Dallas law office at 214-617-2181 or contact me online. You will work directly with me and consultations are free and confidential. I handle these types of cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning you owe me no legal fees or expenses unless I obtain a recovery for you.